Utah Utes vs Cincinnati Bearcats Prediction, 10/31/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Utah Utes vs Cincinnati Bearcats

Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026

Location: Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, OH

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Bearcats (+6.5)

Total/Over-Under: 56.5

Nippert Stadium is where the Cincinnati Bearcats (5-2) will compete against the Utah Utes (7-0) on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Cincinnati is 6.5-point underdogs. The total is 56.5.

The Utah Utes head into this matchup 7-0 this year. In their last matchup, the Utes faced off with the Houston Cougars and notched a win by a score of 21-13. On the day, they had 61 plays which gave them a total of 430 yds. The Utah Utes ran the rock 35 different times and tallied 226 yards, which came out to an average of 6.5 yards per tote. On the ground, the Utes gave up 86 yards on 31 attempts, which is an average of 2.8 yds per run surrendered. Utah surrendered 19 pass completions on 35 attempts for 282 yds, and a completion rate of 54.3%.

The Utes have earned 3,349 yards in total for the year. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Utah has amassed 17 touchdowns through the air and 18 rushing touchdowns. They have surrendered the football 8 times. Utah has accrued 182 first downs offensively, and they have been flagged for 43 penalties for 374 yds. As a unit they average 221.0 yards on the ground ranking them 12th in Division 1. When it comes to putting the ball in the endzone, the Utah Utes are averaging 37.4 points per outing.

When talking about yards through the air, the Utes have allowed 1,569 yards which has them sitting in 75th in the country. They have conceded 224.1 yards per contest via the pass as well as conceding a completion percentage of 50.1%. During the season, they have surrendered 312.4 yards per game putting them at 27th in D-1. They have given up 6 touchdowns by air in addition to 6 touchdowns via the ground game. They are allowing an average of 3.2 yards per rushing attempt and 88.3 rushing yards per game this season. During this campaign, they have allowed 618 yards via the ground game in 7 games. The Utes rank 9th in college football in terms of team defense, conceding 14.6 PPG.

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The Bearcats come into this matchup with a record of 5-2 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Bearcats walked away with a victory by a final of 37-24 when they faced the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Cincinnati surrendered 39 rushing attempts for 173 yards (4.4 yds per rush). The Bearcats passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 64.9%, surrendering 227 yds on 24 for 37 passing. The Bearcats finished the contest with 427 yards while they ran 70 plays (6.1 yds per play). Cincinnati ran the ball for 6.4 yards per attempt, totaling 255 yds on 40 attempts.

The Cincinnati Bearcats are averaging 455.3 yards per game, which has them sitting 20th in the nation. The Cincinnati offense has compiled 436 penalty yds on 49 infractions, which ranks 54th in the country in terms of helping out the opposition. They maintain an average of 234.6 yards via the ground game and have rushed for 1,642 yards in total. They have thrown 2 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 2 fumbles and they have been able to earn 151 first downs. In terms of this team's ability to score points, the Bearcats are 31st in the country averaging 35.4 PPG. Over the course of the season thus far, the Bearcats currently sit at 1,545 yards via the pass together with an average of 220.7 passing yards per game, which has them sitting 77th in Division 1.

Cincinnati has allowed a total of 1,015 yards rushing (145.0 yards per game) and 12 touchdowns by way of the ground game this year. They have surrendered 8 touchdowns via the pass and 284.4 yards/contest, ranking them 135th in college football. This year, they have surrendered 185 total points. Their defense has totaled 5 fumbles and 5 picks over the course of the season. The Bearcats defense has participated in 499 plays, which has them ranked 99th in the nation. The Bearcats are conceding 26.4 PPG, which has them ranked 95th in D-1.

Who will win tonight's Utes/Bearcats college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Utes -6.5

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